Sarah EichHorn, TIDES Pedro Metola, Mathematics LIN Winton, UGS Teaching Spotlight Workshop #4: Developing Authentic Assessments and Projects Sarah EichHorn, TIDES Pedro Metola, Mathematics LIN Winton, UGS

Outline Definition of “authentic assessment” Characteristics Benefits & Challenges Case study: M408K project Further examples Resources for developing authentic assessments

Definition (Wikipedia) “Authentic assessment is the measurement of intellectual accomplishments that are worthwhile, significant, and meaningful” “A teacher applies criteria related to construction of knowledge, disciplined inquiry, and the value of achievement beyond the school” “Authentic learning mirrors the tasks and problem solving that are required in the reality outside of school” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authentic_assessment

27 Characteristics of Authentic Assessments appropriately public do not rely on unrealistic or arbitrary time constraints offer known questions or tasks not one-shot involve some collaboration with others recur feedback to students essential, not contrived or arbitrary enabling contextualized and complex involve the student’s own research assess student habits and repertories representative of challenges of the field engaging and educational involve somewhat ambiguous tasks or problems involve criteria that assess essentials not graded on a curve, but reference standards or benchmarks involve transparent expectations involve self-assessment in the process multi-faceted analytic trait scoring reflect coherent and stable standards identify strengths balance between honoring achievement while mindful or fortunate prior experience Minimize needless comparisons of students Allow appropriate room for student styles and interests Scaffolded with prompting as needed Perceived value to students https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/27-characteristics-of-authentic-assessment/

Project Based Learning (PBL) Projects PBL Teacher-directed Inquiry-based Highly-structured Open-ended Summative On-going Thematic Driving question/challenge Fun Engaging Answer giving Problem solving De-contextualized – School world Contextualized – Real world http://wvde.state.wv.us/instruction/pbltemplate.html

Discussion What are the benefits of using “authentic assessments”? What are the challenges of using “authentic assessments”?

Benefits Ability to provide real world problems that are directly relevant to potential careers Encourage students to develop as lifelong learners Develop meta-cognitive skills so students gain an understanding of the unique ways they learn Help students develop cross-curricular content links which will further reinforce learning http://etec.ctlt.ubc.ca/510wiki/PBL_and_Science_Education

Research on authentic assessment Madaus, George F., and Marguerite Clarke. "The Adverse Impact of High Stakes Testing on Minority Students: Evidence from 100 Years of Test Data." (2001). Patall, Erika A., Harris Cooper, and Jorgianne Civey Robinson. "The effects of choice on intrinsic motivation and related outcomes: a meta-analysis of research findings." Psychological bulletin 134.2 (2008): 270. Posner, Michael A. "THE IMPACT OF A PROFICIENCY-BASED ASSESSMENT AND REASSESSMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES SYSTEM ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND ATTITUDES." Statistics Education Research Journal 10.1 (2011). Benderly, Beryl. “Women Benefit from Project-Based Approach to Learning STEM.” Science (2013).

Case Study: M408K

Activity Think of an example of an authentic assignment, problem, or project for a course you teach Share the course, the authentic assessment, and discuss why this assessment is beneficial

Resources Authentic Assessment Toolbox: http://jfmueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/index.htm Creating Authentic Assessments Webinar: http://www.ascd.org/professional- development/webinars/allison-zmuda-webinar.aspx#archive Project Based Learning (PBL) Resources: http://www.shsu.edu/centers/project-based- learning/higher-education.html Project Based Learning Template: http://wvde.state.wv.us/instruction/pbltemplate.html UT QR Flag Resources Page: https://utexas.instructure.com/courses/1182949 UT Faculty Innovation Center: https://facultyinnovate.utexas.edu/creating-checks-learning